Thai Cabinet Ministers officially sworn in

King Bhumipol Adulyadej, a well revered and the most popular King of Thailand administered swearing in of 36 Cabinet Ministers, including Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra, yesterday, at the Sriraj Hospital, Bangkok.

The King congratulated the 36 Cabinet members present before him for a swearing-in ceremony at Siriraj Hospital. "This country must have rulers to keep all parts of the country functioning well. I would like you to do as you just said, to ensure that the country can function well," the King said.

Thai Monarch yesterday expressed his hope before the new Cabinet that Thailand would remain peaceful at a time when "the world has a lot of confusion already".

The King also reminded the Cabinet members that the world today is full of confusion. "The world these days has a lot of confusion. Thailand has less confusion. … I would like you to make our country a good place to live in, in this world. This world has much confusion already. I hope Thailand is peaceful," he said.

Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra, is scheduled to visit Sukhothai, then take a helicopter to distribute flood-relief kits in Phrae and Nan. She will travel overnight to her private house in Chiang Mai where she plans to pay tribute to Khru Ba Srivichai - one of the most respected monks in the province - as well as her ancestors, before returning to Bangkok on Sunday.

Asked whether the new ministers were an ideal match for their jobs, Yingluck said she and the party had done their best, considering the many factors involved.

On the reason for giving the post of foreign minister to Pheu Thai MP Surapong Towichakchaikul, Ying-luck said Surapong had been an MP for many years and had participated in many House committees. He also had experience working in a private company with international connections and he understood trade issues very well. Officers at the Foreign Ministry would help him with the diplomatic work, she said.

Prime Minister Yingluck has appealed to the public to let her Cabinet do its work for at least six months before criticizing it.

- Asian Tribune -